It's a new era in India football after U-17 team faced 4-0 defeat from Ghana

In the end, it all fell apart. For first 42 minutes, as the Indian defenders withstood the brutally quick, strong and organised Ghanaians, it was just another day for the Blue Brigade. They had done this before in the tournament.

Their defence has stood up well for them. There was no reason to not believe in their ability and dedication. In the 43rd minute, as Eric Ayiah hit the rebound, from goalkeeper Dheeraj Moirangthem, home for their first, it was still normal for India. There was no panic. They had conceded the first goal in all the previous two matches. They had even pulled one back against Colombia.

It was commendable that they kept Ghana to 1-0 at half-time. They could return with confidence and end their tournament with more pleasant memories. But it wasn’t to be. The second half proved disastrous as India conceded three to lose their final game of the U-17 World Cup 4-0. More than the loss, it was the manner in which India’s defence unravelled in the dying minutes of the match that would hurt them.


A failed campaign? Think again
With this defeat, India lost their third game in a row – 0-3 to USA, 1-2 to Colombia and 0-4 to Ghana. India failed to win, failed to draw, failed to score in two out of three matches. Failed. How else would you define such a performance?

Let’s try though. India were the lowest-ranked side in the tournament. They qualified as hosts. This was their first-ever appearance in a FIFA World Cup at any age group. They aren’t even among the best sides in Asia. India does not have a system that can churn out players in numbers. A talent hunt was held to find a competitive squad, and then they were groomed to represent India at the international level.

So the success or failure of India’s campaign should be judged on realistic terms, set by India’s Portuguese coach Luis Norton de Matos before the tournament. "If we can prove that the Indian team can play on the same page as the opposition in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, there is a victory in that," de Matos had said.

So, how did India fare?
They did well. The numbers are there, if it wasn’t obvious after watching them. If you ignore the last 10 minutes of the match against Ghana, the boys competed well throughout. The coach wanted them to defend and they did. Against Colombia, they scored their first-ever goal in a FIFA tournament.

Keeping a team like Ghana off the score sheet for 42 minutes despite their incessant attacks is again a big testament to their defensive calibre. It’s a big aspect of the game. One half of it, if you will.

But it’s a long road to the Promised Land. And after the first taste of international football, one can hope their hunger is not extinguished by this 4-0 drubbing. Because it’s just the beginning.